Labor law - vdma.eu

The Federal Ministry for Digitalization and State Modernization launched the EinfachMachen portal on 12 December 2025.

The VDMA Legal Department, together with employment law expert Dr. Kathrin Pietras, Andersen GmbH Rechtsberatung, is offering a webinar on the 2026 works council elections on January 15, 2026.

In the course of the final debate on December 5, 2025, the previous draft law was adopted in the version amended by the recommended resolution. Please find attached the recommended resolution and the report of the Defense Committee.

The coalition committee of the CDU, CSU and SPD has agreed to extend the period of entitlement to short-time working allowance.

The Fifth Ordinance on the Adjustment of the Level of the Minimum Wage (Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance - MiLoV5) was published in the Federal Law Gazette on November 7, 2025.

On November 5, 2025, the Federal Government's Cabinet for Reducing Bureaucracy adopted key points for reducing bureaucracy, which also affect occupational health and safety.

The mechanical and plant engineering industry is facing new challenges: Legislative changes, political decisions and recent court rulings are changing the employment law framework and presenting companies with new challenges.

The individual case is decisive for the proportionality of the length of a probationary period in a fixed-term employment relationship.

Median or best-paid colleague? What is the benchmark for equal pay claims?

The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) has presented a plan to reduce bureaucracy in occupational health and safety.

The Federal Employment Agency has published its new technical directive on the Temporary Employment Act (AÜG) as of October 1, 2025.

The works council must be involved when setting up a reporting office in accordance with the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Germany's security situation has changed dramatically. A state of tension or a NATO, alliance or defence case can no longer be ruled out. Strengthening defence capabilities has moved to the top of the political agenda.

"Googling" as part of a recruitment process triggers information obligations towards the applicant and can lead to a claim for compensation.

According to the Federal Network Agency, telecommunications secrecy no longer applies to employers when employees use company email accounts privately.

Employees are not entitled to continued remuneration after a tattoo if they are unable to work due to complications such as inflammation.

On 27.08.2025, the Federal Cabinet adopted the draft law on the modernization of military service - Military Service Modernization Act (WDModG).

No-poaching agreements have been in the sights of antitrust authorities for some time. Now the European Commission has imposed severe fines for the first time.

In the third consultation meeting on the minimum wage adjustment on June 27, 2025, the Minimum Wage Commission unanimously passed a resolution to increase the minimum wage on the basis of a mediation proposal by the chairwoman.

An updated version of the online edition of the laws that must be posted on June 1, 2025 has been published in the GDA Employers' Library.

A probationary period termination can be classified as contrary to good faith due to contradictory behavior if the takeover was previously promised.

Women who suffer a miscarriage from the 13th week of pregnancy have been subject to maternity protection since June 1, 2025.

In a FAQ, the EU Commission has clarified what the AI Regulation (AI Act) means by AI competence and what obligations apply to the operators of AI systems.

Forwarding of personal employee data by works council member via private email account justifies exclusion from works council

The newly formed government wants to maintain the voluntary nature of military service. In addition, it plans to further strengthen the reserve and homeland security and to better anchor them structurally and socially.

Compensation after loss of control of data

Disclosure of health data by employers can lead to compensation.

Companies in Germany urgently need relief, also in terms of labor market regulations. Switching to a maximum weekly working time would be an important step towards more flexibility.

Current labor law and political decisions present companies with new challenges - an overview of the most important changes and practical recommendations for implementation.

Strengthen the resilience of your company. Our series of events shows ways through difficult economic times - compact, practical and future-orientated.

The BAG specifies the requirements for non-material claims for damages under Art. 82 para. 1 GDPR.

No economic growth, an ageing society and rising expenditure and contributions: The challenges in labor market and social policy could hardly be greater.

On April 11, 2025, the 2025 garnishment exemption limits pursuant to Section 850c ZPO were published in the Federal Law Gazette.

In economically challenging times, companies are often faced with the difficult task of optimizing their personnel costs.

Company agreements must be fully GDPR-compliant.

The parties to the collective agreement in the M E industry in Baden-Württemberg have concluded a collective agreement that enables companies to lend employees to each other in order to avoid short-time working or redundancies.

Pay slips may only be provided online

Assistance from the VDMA legal department on dismissals for operational reasons

On January 30, 2025, the Bundestag passed amendments to maternity protection in the event of miscarriages (printed matter 20/14231). The changes will come into force on June 1, 2025.

In the event of an increasing lack of orders and a lack of capacity utilization, the instrument of short-time work combined with short-time work compensation is an option for companies and employees.

By denying a trade union the right of digital access to the company, the BAG sets limits to the institutional freedom of association.

On January 1, 2025 and over the course of the next year, a number of changes will be made to the labor market.

On December 18, 2024, the Federal Cabinet decided to extend the period of entitlement to short-time working allowance.

The EU-Commission has given the go-ahead for a single EU-wide digital declaration portal for the posting of workers. VDMA expressly welcomes this first step towards reducing bureaucracy.

Charging a hybrid vehicle without permission can have consequences under employment law.

Action is required for all companies with at least 50 employees

The German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) published a draft law on the recording of working hours on April 18, 2023. This has not yet been approved by the coalition.

After the possibility of paying the tax-free inflation compensation lump sum was included in the law (§ 3 No. 11c EStG), the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) has now published an FAQ to clarify individual questions.

A bombshell from Erfurt: according to the Federal Labor Court, employers are obliged to record their employees' working hours.

"Mobile working abroad" has become a top issue for companies that want to be attractive to qualified specialists and managers who live outside Germany. But what needs to be taken into account?